FICCI Awards 2020: PCI awarded as Best National Sports Federation; Sundar & Simran Best Para athletes

In a major boost to the Paralympic Movement in the country, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has been awarded the 'Best National Sports Federation Award' at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry’s (FICCI) Turf 2020 India Sports Awards.

The FICCI India Sports Awards, powered by MPL Sports, which were held virtually on Tuesday evening on the back of the 10th Global Sports Summit: FICCI TURF 2020, are awarded to athletes, coaches, federations, professionals, companies etc. recognising their excellent performances & contributions towards sports over the past year.

Alongwith PCI, the 'Best National Sports Federation Award' was also given to the Wrestling Federation of India.

There was more recognition for the Parasport fraternity as World champion Para javelin thrower Sundar Singh Gurjar and sprinter Simran Sharma were named as the Best Male and Female Para Athlete of the Year.

Honoured to receive the award Dr. Deepa Malik, PCI President, wrote on her Twitter handle: "It’s an acknowledgment of the tremendous teamwork between Sports Ministry, PCI Board members, Para athletes, coaches, officials & all stakeholders involved."

"The award has come at the right time when we plan to make PCI an athlete-centric organisation and work towards the overall development of the Para athletes and the Movement in the country. The award will also motivate us to move forward in our plans and push our athletes and coaches to work harder towards their Paralympic dreams," she added.

PCI Secretary General Gursharan Singh added: "It's an honour for the entire Paralympic fraternity in the country. The award is a testament that we are in the right path and we continue to work with the same commitment and dedication towards the development of the Paralympic Movement in the country. Congratulations to everyone at PCI and athletes Sundar (Gurjar) and Simran (Sharma)."

Award Big Motivation

For both the Para athletes, the recognition was a "big motivation" to work harder as they chase their Paralympic dreams. With hardly any competition held this year owing to COVID-19 Pandemic, the award has given "wings" to Gurjar’s preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Supported by the Cairn Foundation, Gurjar is training at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Simran, the visually impaired Para Athlete, said this has been the "first award in her career" and she will use it to work harder to secure a quota for the Games.

Recently, the National Para sport body was also recognised with the 'Corona Frontliners Award' for their service during the COVID-19 lockdown.

While the PCI has donated PPE kits to health workers, all PCI staff donated their one-day salary to PM CARES. Moreover, all para-athletes have kept their morale high attending sports science webinars organised by PCI & continued to train from home, motivating the entire nation with their spirit.

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